Design and Rationale for the Deep South Interactive Voice Response System-Supported Active Lifestyle Study: Protocol...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The Deep South region faces high rates of physical inactivity, cancer incidence, and mortality, particularly in rural, medically underserved African American communities.
• Low literacy and limited internet access in this region create barriers to traditional physical activity interventions.
• Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems offer a potential solution to overcome these barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and rationale of an ongoing efficacy trial for the Deep South IVR System-Supported Active Lifestyle intervention.
• To prepare for the dissemination of this intervention in rural Alabama.

Main Methods:

• A two-arm randomized controlled trial comparing a 12-month physical activity intervention with a wait-list control group.
• The intervention utilizes IVR-automated phone counseling based on Social Cognitive Theory and support from local coordinators.
• The study involves 240 underactive adults from 6 rural Alabama counties, with outcomes measured at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months.

Main Results:

• The study was funded in March 2019 and approved in April 2019.
• Start-up activities were completed by February 2020, with recruitment and assessments beginning in September 2020.
• As of February 2021, participant enrollment is ongoing across three counties: Dallas (43), Sumter (42), and Greene (51).

Conclusions:

• IVR-supported phone counseling shows significant potential for addressing physical activity barriers like culture, literacy, cost, and transportation.
• This intervention approach can help reduce health disparities in rural, underserved populations.
• The study's findings support the scalability of IVR interventions for improving physical activity and health outcomes in similar regions.